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Southern California-based Orange County features restaurants that match the glitz and glamor found among some of the region's most luxurious coastal cities. Orange County also plays host to casual and affordable eateries that cater to its middle-class clientele. Tourists visiting Orange County's famed beaches or Disneyland Resort will discover a variety restaurants in the OC to satisfy different tastes and budgets.

North Orange County

Located in downtown Fullerton in an elegant Spanish courtyard, the Cellar (cellardining.com) occupies the remnants of a former 1922 hotel. The high-end interior features bright red furnishings, white tablecloths and chandeliers. The French menu includes such fare as beef tenderloin in Bearnaise sauce and escargots. Compliment your entree with one of the restaurant's 1,400 wine offerings, including selections from Europe and California. Situated in Old Town Orange, Watson Drugs and Soda Fountain (watsonsdrugs.com) spans three centuries, having opened its doors back in 1899. The old-fashioned 1950s-themed diner features counter and booth seating crammed into the front of a functioning drugstore, in addition to an outdoor patio. The menu offers breakfast all day, as well as such standard items as burgers, hot dogs, shakes and banana splits for dessert.

Near Disneyland

Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen (rbjazzkitchen.com) lies in Downtown Disney, a shopping and entertainment complex directly outside the Disneyland Resort. Housed within a New Orleans-style mansion with wrought-iron railings and open courtyards, the restaurant features live jazz music on a nightly basis. Adult beverages include such New Orleans favorites as Hurricanes and mint juleps, while the menu offers Southern cuisine like fried catfish and jambalaya. Housed in a former 1909 mansion, the Anaheim White House (anaheimwhitehouse.com) lies less than 2 miles from Disneyland. The lavish interior features gold silk curtains, white tablecloths, chandeliers and ornately painted ceilings. The menu includes a wide array of pastas, including smoked chicken fettuccine and gnocchi Gorgonzola. The restaurant hosts a champagne brunch on Sundays.

South Orange County

Located in Irvine, Agora Churrascaria (agorachurrascaria.com) sits one block from John Wayne Airport. The Brazilian steakhouse features an elegant interior, complete with massive wood ceilings, white tablecloths and rock walls. Enjoy table-side carvings of fine meats, such as filet mignon and roasted pork loin, for a fixed price. The restaurant also hosts a nightly happy hour. King's Fish House (kingsfishhouse.com) features four locations throughout Orange County, including a restaurant in the parking lot of the Laguna Hills Mall. Standard fare includes various pastas, sandwiches and grilled meats. King's Fish House offers an extensive wine list, including selections from Italy, California and Australia. The restaurant charges a small corkage fee. Weekday "easy hours" offer discounted drinks and small-plate items.

Waterfront Views

Situated in Newport Beach, the Cannery (cannerynewport.com) sits less than half a mile from the Newport Pier and lies perched along the banks of the Newport Bay. Although the restaurant dates back to 1971, the building originally served as a cannery in 1921, hence the name. The seafood restaurant includes a large dining room, complete with white tablecloths and exposed beams, while the upstairs area features a sushi bar. Window tables offer views of the bay. Taco Loco (tacoloco.net) lies directly across the street from the sandy shores of Laguna Beach and Main Beach Park. The casual eatery offers counter service, Paul Frank-designed stools inside and outdoor patio dining with views of the waterfront. Mexican menu items, featuring a touch of Southwest, New Orleans and California cuisine influences, include such dishes as swordfish tacos and blackened mushroom and tofu quesadillas.

About the Author

A travel writer since 2002, Jane Gosford has written countless articles for online pop-culture magazines and various travel-related websites, including Eurobooking and World66. Gosford also has experience in copywriting, having developed a series of articles related to network marketing. She graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with a degree in theater arts.